Tag: Spellcasting

The Components of Magick

A spell can technically be cast with three things: a goal, stemming from a need or desire; focus and visualization; and a gathering and release of energy toward that goal. However, just as the use of props facilitates drama and theater, spellcasting benefits from the addition of energy-rich ingredients to enhance the effects and results. These ingredients are also called components, and they possess specific corresponding energies that you can use to help achieve your goal. The system of correspondences is a classification of objects, entities, and energies, which affect one another or evoke certain outcomes.

The system of correspondences arises from a sympathetic association: by using components or ingredients that demonstrate a certain kind of energy, you can attract more of the same energy, thus illustrating the “like attracts like” principle.

Conversely, by using components possessing one kind of energy, you can push away the antithetical energy, like using a magnet to repel another magnet with the same polarity, for example. (For more examinations of magical methods. A correspondence is an identification of what an object’s energy represents: for example, a correspondence for sandalwood is purification. Thus, if you were creating an incense to help power a purification spell, you might choose to use sandalwood in it. Using sandalwood enables you to draw on the energy of the wood to help power your spell; since sandalwood is associated with purification, it also employs the sympathetic magic principle and draws your goal closer to you.

Components are the elements you use in the act of spellcasting to help gather energies associated with your goal. Looking through other spellbooks, you’ve likely noticed spells calling for a variety of components such as herbs, flowers, stones, incense, oils, candles, dolls (also called poppets), cords, and other objects. Some spells have elaborate lists of ingredients. However, a perfectly good, powerful spell can be performed with a comparatively short list of components. More components are not necessarily better. Remember, it’s how you use the energy of your correspondences that increases the power of your spellcasting, not how many correspondences and associated energies you can plug into it. It’s definitely an issue of quality over quantity.

Power Spellcraft For Life: The Art Of Crafting And Casting For Positive Change
Arin Murphy-Hiscock

Things that Weaken or Ruin Spellcasting

There are some circumstances that can weaken or even destroy the spell you have worked so hard to cast, so you want to be aware of and avoid the following:

Drug or alcohol use: You should never cast a spell with anything other than a clear head. For one thing, it is insulting to the Gods to come into sacred space under the influence of mind-altering substances. For another, it interferes with focus. (Yes, there are some folks who believe in the use of drugs to deepen spiritual practice; they are entitled to their opinions, and I would never argue with them, but it has been my experience that nothing destroys magickal concentration and focus faster than coming into circle high or drunk.)

Extreme emotional states: As I said above, you need to have a clear head in order to do your best spellcasting. Coming in to your sacred space filled with anger or fear or any other very strong emotion will not only stand in the way of clarity and focus, but you may cast a spell you later wished you hadn’t. This doesn’t mean that you can’t do spellwork when things are bad—sometimes this is when we need magick the most. But try to achieve as calm a state as possible before starting the work. Do some meditation, take a long bath or walk, repeat some calming affirmation. At the very least, take slow, deep breaths and concentrate on the light and love of the Gods until your head is in a better place.

Mixed feelings about the spellwork: If you’re not sure whether the spell you are casting is the right thing to do or not, that doubt may undermine the will you need to feed the spell. Never cast a spell unless you are certain of your path in that instance. This is also true of the times when you are uncertain of your goal. That confusion will sap your spell of strength, so it is better to wait until you have a solid goal in mind, and the will to back it up.

Negative intent: This is not to say that you can’t cast a spell that would have a negative impact on someone else; for better or for worse, free will allows for this. However, you should bear in mind that not only do the powers of the Universe often not allow these types of spells to work, it is not unusual for them to rebound on the one what casts them–either immediately or sometime down the line.

Lack of focus: This is the main reason for not coming into circle under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or heavy emotions; they will simply make it too difficult to maintain the focus needed to create a powerful spell and send it out into the world. But other things can get in way of focus, too. If you can’t find a quiet, private place to cast your spell (the kids are running around screaming, the dog is barking, the neighbors are arguing at the top of their lungs) you are better off waiting for a different time. It is almost impossible to get good results when you cast a spell in the midst of chaos.

Writing and casting your own spells can be a fun and empowering part of a well-balanced witchcraft practice. If you follow the few simple suggestions laid out above and sidestep the (easily avoidable) pitfalls that can stand in the way of successful spellcasting, all Witches can create spells to enhance and entrance their lives.

Reference:

Excerpt from

“Writing and Casting Spells for the Best Results”by Deborah BlakeLllewellyn’s 2013 Magical Almanac

Since Valentine’s Day is next week, we decided we would start posting Love Spells & Potions for you. We drew straws and I got the short end of the straw. I hope you find my spells useful. If you don’t get enough Love Spells & Potions today, we will posting more in a few day.

Things that Weaken or Ruin Spellcasting

There are some circumstances that can weaken or even destroy the spell you have worked so hard to cast, so you want to be aware of and avoid the following:

*Drug or alcohol use: You should never cast a spell with anything other than a clear head. For one thing, it is insulting to the Gods to come into sacred space under the influence of mind-altering substances. For another, it interferes with focus. (Yes, there are some folks who believe in the use of drugs deepens spiritual practice, they are entitled to their opinions, and I would never argue with them, but it has been my experience that nothing destroys magickal concentration and focus faster than coming into a circle high or drunk.)

*Extreme emotional states: As I said above, you need to have a clear head in order to do your best spell casting. Coming in to your sacred space filled with anger or fear or any other very strong emotion will not only stand in the way of clarity and focus, but you may cast a spell you later wished you hadn’t. This doesn’t mean that you can’t do spell work when things are bad–sometimes this is when we need magick the most. But try to achieve as calm a state as possible before starting the work. Do some meditation, take a long bath or walk, repeat some calming affirmations. At the very least, take slow, deep breaths and concentrate on the light and love of the Gods until your head is in a better place.

*Mixed feelings about the spell work: If you’re not sure whether the spell you are casting is the right thing to do or not, that doubt may undermine the will you need to feed the spell. Never cast a spell unless you are certain of your path in that instance. This is also true of the times when you are uncertain of your goal. That confusion will sap your spell of strength, so it is better to wait until you have a solid goal in mind, and the will to back it up.

*Negative intent: This is not to say that you can’t cast a spell that would have a negative impace on someone else, for better or for worse, free will allows for this. However, you should be in mind that not only do the powers of the Universe often not allow these types of spells to work, it is not unusual for them to rebound on the one what casts them–either immediately or sometime down the line.

*Lack of focus: This is the main reason for not coming into circle under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or heavy emotions, they will simply make it too difficult to maintain the focus needed to create a powerful spell and send it out into the world. But other thing can get in the way of focus, too. If you can’t find a quiet, private place to cast your spell (the kids are running around screaming, the dog is barking, the neighbors ae arguing at the top of their lungs) you are better off waiting for a different time. It is almost impossible to get good results when you cast a spell in the midst of chaos.

Reference:

Excerpt from:

“Writing and Casting Spells For the Best Results” By Deborah BlakeLlewellyn’s Magical 2013 Magical Almanac

I am doing a little substitution here. Friday is ruled by Venus thus being a day which magick should be casted involving the heart. Love spells, in other words. I am not a huge fan of love spells. Instead of a love spell today, I would like to offer the following substitution.

SPELL TO BECOME CLOSER TO YOUR CAT

Preparation:

Work with brown candles. Take the following herbs and empower each with its meaning and becoming closer to your pet/familiar in mind.

– Catnip – Helps create a bond between you

– Vervain – For Peace and Protection

– Gardenia – For Spirituality

– Saffron – For Strength

– Love Seed – For Friendship

– Passion Flower – For Friendship

Working:

Take 1/2 of the empowered herbs and wrap in a small square of brown cloth and tie it off with a brown cord or string. Take the other half and make a smaller sachet for your pet. Wear yours four days meditating with your pet at least once a day.

You can tie the pets sachet on while meditating. After those four days take all the herbs and burn as an incense while sharing a meal with your pet.

The majority of the spellbooks on the market today give you pages of spells for all sorts of purposes. Lists of ingredients, directions, and words to say, these aren’t your words, they are more like a recipe book you would find in your kitchen. A spell is more than a list of ingredients, directions, how to mix them, and a sure outcome. It isn’t that simple, believe me. What makes the difference from the spells you find in a store bought book and your own, is you, your will and your intention. All of these things have an important influence over spellcrafting and spellcasting. You have an enormous amount of control throughout the process that the books don’t mention.

There are random and unknown factors in spellcasting, just as if you were cooking your favorite recipe, you affect the outcome. The personal factor of spellcasting is unique, and this fact is what classifies spellcraft as an art.

In order for your situation to change, the common element over which you have the most control is yourself. Magick transforms the caster instead of the environment around the caster. Spellcraft isn’t just about bringing home a bigger paycheck or finding the love of your life; it’s about growth and evolution, making the career choices that lead to that bigger paycheck, accepting that the love of your life will have a few flaws and accept your flaws, too. Spellcrafting is about reassessing your life, searching deep within your soul, striking a balance. Then the spellcrafter within you will emerge.

Spellcrafting is the process of creating a spell. Spellcasting is the act of putting it into motion. Casting is, in fact, one of the final steps of spellcrafting, for the moment you begin to craft your spell is the moment you begin an active process.

Make no mistake: as a spellcaster, you are a part of the active process of change. You cannot interact with the energy of the world on a daily basis, at the depth required by spellcrafting, and not be changed. You will be transformed, learn to understand and accept the benefits of spellcasting, you will see your life beginning to reflect inner change. You will understand the power you have comes from within you, then finally the true spellcaster within you will emerge.

Take your symbol that should be made of natural material, natural fabric, crystal, beeswax, dough, clay, flowers, herbs, twigs or metals.

Set the symbol in a dish or flat plate in the center of the altar (you can use a pentacle dish is you wish).

Raising the symbol dish in the center of the altar as you face north, name the purpose of the spell and the time scale, for example, “by the time the leaves are on the trees,” “by the next full moon or “within seven days.”

At the same time, define the person for whom you are casting the spell – this could be yourself.

If you wish, you can now, while you are speaking, pass the symbol on its dish slowly in turn over all four elemental substances, beginning in the north or east.

You may now speaking slowly and confidently, ask for any god or goddess or maybe an angelic power that could be helpful.

Put the symbol back in the center. Touch the symbol with your wand or with a crystal point or the outstretching tip of your index finger to make the connection between the symbol and the energies to be raised. Say:

Be filled with powers and blessings that _________(name) may be/ have/ do__________.

In a ritual you would announce the purpose of the gathering and draw everyone together in a initial chant or action during this first stage.

Moon Names for August

Double or treble circles round the moon foreshadow rough and severe storms, and much more so if these circles are not pure and entire, but spotted and broken. - Francis Bacon, English philosopher (15611626) (folklore).From The Old Farmer's Almanac.